US charges Iran-backed man over plot to assassinate Trump
The United States Department of Justice has unsealed charges against an Afghan national, Farhad Shakeri, for allegedly plotting to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump. According to the criminal complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, Shakeri was directed by an agent of Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) in October to come up with this plan. However, Shakeri reportedly told investigators he had no intention of executing the plot before the November 5 election.
Shakeri directed criminal network for assassination plots: US
US Attorney-General Merrick Garland said Shakeri was "tasked by the regime to direct a network of criminal associates" for assassination plots targeting Trump. He added, "There are few actors in the world that pose as grave a threat to the national security of the United States as does Iran." Iran has not responded to these allegations yet but had previously denied similar claims.
Separate plot against US journalist linked to Shakeri
New York residents Carlisel Rivera and Jonathon Lodholt, who met Shakeri in prison, have also been accused of assisting Shakeri in plotting the murder of a US journalist critical of Iran. Rivera and Lodholt are accused of surveilling this journalist and providing updates to Shakeri, who is believed to be currently residing in Iran. Prosecutors did not identify the target, but it matched Masih Alinejad, a journalist and activist who has questioned Iran's head-covering rules for women.
Shakeri's criminal history and alleged connections
Shakeri also claimed he was offered $500,000 for surveilling and potentially killing two Jewish American citizens in New York. He allegedly used connections from his prison time to aid the IRGC with operatives for surveillance and assassination tasks. The FBI has said that there has been an increase in threats against Trump following an unrelated assassination attempt in July, with another unconnected attempt reported in September.
Shakeri's shift in focus and criminal charges
In September, IRGC operatives ordered Shakeri to focus on Trump's assassination plot. Although he raised concerns about high costs, he was assured that "money's not an issue." Shakeri immigrated to the US as a child and was deported around 2008 after serving 14 years in jail for robbery. Rivera, Loadholt and Shakeri are charged with murder-for-hire and money laundering. Shakeri has also been charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
